Co-op threatens to ban 'harmful' lads' mags in censorship ultimatum

THE Co-operative has threatened the publishers of lads' magazines with an ultimatum to cover up raunchy front covers in "modesty bags" or face having them removed from the shelves of 4,000 stores.

PUBLISHED: 07:53, Mon, Jul 29, 2013

Magazines such as Front, Loaded, Nuts and Zoo are facing a ban if they don't cover up

Top shelf magazines including Front, Loaded, Nuts and Zoo - known for their pictures of scantily-clad models - have been given until September 9 to deliver the magazines in pre-sealed bags.

The retail group, which describes itself as one of the UK's largest magazine sellers, had already introduced opaque screens on shelves earlier this month to shield children from "lewd pictures" on front covers.

It comes amid increasing debate about the effects of sexual images on children, with David Cameron setting out a raft of reforms this week which will introduce family-friendly filters that automatically block internet porn unless customers choose to opt out.

The lads mag Loaded could be banned if it doesn't cover-up

The Co-operative said the move was a response to concerns by its members, customers and colleagues.

Steve Murrells, retail chief executive for the Co-operative Group, said: "As a community-based retailer we have listened to the concerns of our customers and members, many of whom say they object to their children being able to see overt sexual images in our stores.

"Whilst we have tried to mitigate the likelihood of young children seeing the images with a number of measures in-store, the most effective way of doing this is for these magazines to be put in individual, sealed modesty bags.

"As an interim measure, we have introduced our own opaque screens on shelf to reinforce our existing policy limiting the display of such material.

"Any lads' magazine which does not have the relevant bag will not be supplied in our stores."

The Sport newspaper has already agreed to deliver all editions to stores in bags from September 9, the Co-operative added.

Publishers have been given until September 9 to deliver the magazines in pre-sealed bags

Many parents aren't comfortable with the way that sexualised imagery has become like wallpaper

Jo Swinson, Minister for Women and Equalities

Jo Swinson, Minister for Women and Equalities, said: "Many parents aren't comfortable with the way that sexualised imagery has become like wallpaper - everywhere from the bus stop to the corner shop.

"Exposing children to lewd pictures that portray women as sex objects is not appropriate.

"That's why The Co-operative's decision to implement the Bailey review recommendation for publications with overtly sexual images on the cover to be displayed and sold in modesty bags is very welcome.

"Adults should be left to make their own decisions about what legal sexual images they look at, but the place for these is not next to the sweets at children's eye-level. I hope other retailers will follow the Co-operative's lead."

Sophie Bennett, a spokeswoman for Lose the Lads' Mags campaign group, called for the Co-operative to stop stocking the magazines altogether.

She said: "Thousands of people have called on retailers to stop selling lads' mags like Nuts and Zoo.

"The Co-operative's actions show our voices are being heard.

"Yet the Co-operative are attempting to sell their customers short.

"The so-called 'modesty bags' they are demanding from publishers are designed to allow the Co-operative to continue profiting from sexist, harmful lads' mags - but just a bit more discreetly.